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Post by janetnj on Nov 11, 2012 15:43:31 GMT -5
I had read there are occasional tours of the Senate at Palais du Luxembourg, so I sent an email back in September. They replied - on a Sunday - to tell me the next tour was on November 3 and they started taking reservations October 11. Late morning on the 11th I sent my request, and they replied to tell me the tour was already full. So - in my most polite French - I asked them to let me know if anything became available. They emailed a week later saying another tour was added for the 10th. Yay! The tour guide was very welcoming and enunciated well so I was able to get the gist of what she was saying. We started in the courtyard. Marie of Medicis bought the original hotel particulier from a duc of Luxembourg, hence the name. Then inside to a few rooms. This one was a beautiful door. And ceiling We passed the library but it's only open for visits on the Journees du Patrimoine in September. I think she said there were 45,000 books. Then we went into the main meeting room. We sat in the balcony. The tour guide gave background on the building and the Senate guide who accompanied us told us about the Senate itself. 358 senators. 78% male. 65% over 60, 1.4% under 40. The gallery was breathtaking. Reminded me somewhat of Opera Garnier. This is Napoleon II. If I understood correctly he died of tuberculosis. We descended a final grand staircase and were bid adieu. A very good tour.
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Post by Shoesy on Nov 11, 2012 15:49:34 GMT -5
Wow! That place is a palace! So beautiful!
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Post by PariS on Nov 11, 2012 18:07:07 GMT -5
Thanks for the photos, Janet! It looks absolutely gorgeous! Do you happen to have the email address to inquire about future tours?
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Post by Sandy M on Nov 11, 2012 19:41:15 GMT -5
Simply Stunning!!!! Thanks for posting - so glad you were able to take this tour - what a place!! I would not have imagined it to be so opulent by looking at the outside - I'll have to remember to write for reservations next time in Paris!
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Post by Jody on Nov 12, 2012 1:35:24 GMT -5
LOVELY!! You certainly have been lucky in seeing things not usually open. How much more time do you have?Wish We were still, there!
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Post by janetnj on Nov 12, 2012 5:02:46 GMT -5
Annette - the email address is visites-conferences@monuments-nationaux.fr Here's the link to the website: www.senat.fr/visite/visiter.htmlOnce we were registered, we had to send a check for something like 8 euros. We got an email saying we were officially registered once they got the check. The next visit is December 27 and registration begins December 3 at 10:30. Jody - I leave a week from today. Mixed emotions. I'd like to get to the Van Cleef & Arpels exhibition this week. Otherwise I just want to wander and soak it all in.
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Post by PariS on Nov 12, 2012 9:52:35 GMT -5
Thank you Janet! This is going on my list for next time. Hope it falls when they have a tour scheduled.
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Post by geordy on Nov 12, 2012 10:01:09 GMT -5
It goes to the top of my Jours de Patramoine list!
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Post by sistereurope on Nov 12, 2012 11:46:24 GMT -5
Wow, beautiful!! I've been in the US Capitol and thought it was pretty spiffy but Le Senat takes the wow prize! Thanks for posting ;D
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Post by mez on Nov 13, 2012 8:54:17 GMT -5
What a marvelous building! It's definitely going on my list.
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Post by Truffaut on Dec 3, 2012 14:44:41 GMT -5
I've never heard of those visits. It'll go on my list, too!
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Post by janetnj on Dec 3, 2012 22:19:11 GMT -5
This tour got me wondering whether it's possible to visit the National Assembly. The English version of the website says you need to be invited by a member. Here's the link: www.assemblee-nationale.fr/english/visiting.aspHowever, the French version says that starting November 3 2012 individual visits are available and I don't see any mention of needing an invitation. Here's the link: www.assemblee-nationale.fr/infos/visiter.aspAnother thing on my "next time" list!
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Post by Steve Alten on May 25, 2013 5:57:31 GMT -5
The Hotel Le Senat Paris is situated in the heart of Saint Germain des Pres and the Latin Quarter, with its art galleries, luxurious shops and boutiques, interior ...
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Post by Rochelle Alers on Jun 11, 2013 23:16:26 GMT -5
The Hotel Le Senat Paris is situated in the heart of Saint Germain des Pres and the Latin Quarter, with its art galleries, Le Senat Paris : Instant Confirmation and low rates for Paris Le Senat with Agoda. Recently renovated, this lovely property is located in the charming Latin
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Post by PariS on Jun 12, 2013 6:18:06 GMT -5
spam
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